Disposable wound dressing and support unit

ABSTRACT

A disposable wound dressing and support unit for delivering a variety of standard gauze pads on top of a wound and providing for a painless access to the wound. The disposable wound dressing and support unit consists of an elongated bidirectional (stretches laterally) wrap which includes a window opening therethrough and disposed along the length of the wrap. The bidirectional wrap is adaptable for conforming to various parts of the anatomy of a patient and includes a releasable hook fastener at one end for securing the end to any portion of the wrap. The wrap is made of a loose weave material. The wound dressing and support unit may be received around the trunk, head, limb, hand and other parts of the anatomy. Also, one end of the wound dressing and support unit may be bifurcated for ease in receipt around various parts of the human anatomy. The window opening may be of different widths, lengths and geometric shapes for application to different sizes and types of wounds. A gauze pad is received over the window opening with the sides of the pad permanently secured to the sides of the window opening. The window in the wrap allows for visual inspection of the gauze pad relative to the nature of wound drainage, the amount of drainage, and when the disposable unit needs to be replaced. The window further allows for improved exchange of gases and liquids secreted from the wound and through the gauze pad.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

This invention relates to wound dressings and wound bandages and moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, to a disposable wounddressing and support unit having a wrap for holding a gauze pad or thelike in place on top of a wound.

(b) Discussion of Prior Art

Because of the complexity of wound healing, the function of a wounddressing may be integral to the success of that process. Wound dressingsfunction as:

a. a protective barrier from outside sources of irritation.

b. provide for mechanical support to the fragile wound surface.

c. serve to form an occlusive barrier to provide an optimal environmentfor certain wound types.

d. function to absorb wound byproducts that tend to accumulate andcomplicate healing.

e. act as an agent for wound debridement which acts to clean and preparea wound bed for healing.

f. may have value as an acceptable camouflage for unsightly woundappearances.

The wound dressing is most often secured in place by the application ofan adhesive to the skin. This seemingly simple and universal method ofdressing fixation actually has limited applicability accompanied with asignificant list of inadequacies, problems and patient dissatisfactions:

a. difficulty with conforming to some anatomic locations and contours,particularly in active body locations.

b. an increasing incidence of adhesive allergies resulting in blisterformation, rashes, weeping wounds, scars, and permanent pigmentationproblems.

c. inability to adhere in areas of raw, open wounds, or wounds withvulnerable scab formation.

d. lack of satisfactory adherence in hair bearing areas or areas ofhypersensitivity.

e. pain associated with adhesive removal in hair bearing areas or areasof hypersensitivity.

f. adhesive system is not reusable when loosened by movement ormoisture, thus necessitating reapplication.

g. lack of usefulness in wet to dry dressing situations. Due to themoist dressing, adhesives will not hold the dressings in place, makingthe wet to dry concept totally ineffective.

h. possibly the most important of issues is that a wound dressing, ifnot properly chosen, can significantly retard and limit wound healing.

i. adhesives used will stick to protective gloves now used by allhandlers of wound products, often tearing the gloves and making themineffective as a protective barrier.

The advent of AIDS and other serious infectious and contagious diseaseshas changed the thinking and application of traditional wound dressings.The matter of exposure apply to all parties involved in the care of apatient such as the health care provider administering the care, thepatient and the individual removing the wound dressing. The subjectinvention addresses this acute problem.

Also, traditional wound dressings are applied with various tapes,elastic wraps or gauze wraps. These dressing wraps have intrinsicnegative aspects as compared to the subject wound dressing and supportunit described by virtue of:

a. restricted areas of usefulness in terms of adhesives. Adhesives alsocannot easily be "readjusted".

b. wraps produce significant bulk of material and that bulk also reducesthe gas exchanged from the wound surface.

c. wraps obscure the nature and quantity of wound drainage.

d. wraps require some dexterity and finesse by the patient, which attimes is not possible or at least discourages the patient from gettinginvolved in his or her own care. This may lead to other individualshaving to assist or take over care which increases the expense.

e. wraps often require a secondary means of fixation which therebycomplicates the dressing change process.

f. wraps lead to waste of materials or increased production ofbiohazardous materials.

Heretofore there have been a variety of different types of wounddressings using adhesives and stretchable wraps such as described in thefollowing patents.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,146 to Fasline et al. discloses a surgical wounddressing device having a frame with an opening for receiving differenttypes of wound dressings. A dressing is held in place by straps attachedto one side of the frame with one end of the straps including releasableVelcro fasteners.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,112 to Kalt describes a bandage having an openingwith the opening covered with a transparent membrane. The membrane isdesigned to allow air and vapors to permeate outward from the wound andprevent contaminants from entering in the opposite direction.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,243 to Frank et al., a two piece wound dressingis shown having an adhesive layer on one side of a baseplate with anopening in the baseplate to expose the wound and the epithelium areaaround the wound. A second adhesive layer on one side of a wound padsecures a wound dressing above the opening in the baseplate.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,579 to Kum, U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,613 to Karami etal., and U.S. Pat. No. 3,779,242 to McCullough disclosed different typesof adhesive bandages for providing open areas to wounds to enhancehealing. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,838 to Sherman, a foam plasticorthopedic fabric is described having a Velcro tab at one end of thefabric.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,410 to Elliott a stretchable sleeve is shown withVelcro fasteners at the ends of the sleeve. The sleeve includes acentral opening with a releasable flap for retaining an intravenous tubeor the like.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,695 to Kohn et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,816 toSpangler, U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,763 to Hathman, and U.S. Pat. No.4,926,883 to Strock all describe different types of wound surroundingdressings and bandages. Also U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,054 to Brennan and U.S.Pat. No. 4,658,811 to Beaird disclose stretchable bandages having loopand hook type attachment ends for encircling the head of a patient.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,660 to the subject inventors, a wound dressingsupport device is described for holding a variety of standard gauze padsin place on top of an open wound. The device includes an elongatedunidirectional wrap with a window opening therethrough. Around the sidesof the window is a non-adhesive fastener for releasably engaging aportion of the sides of the gauze pad.

None of these prior art patents disclose the unique structure andadvantages of the subject invention as described herein when addressingthe need of a disposable wound dressing and support unit in combination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a disposable wound dressing and support unit which is easy toapply and holds a variety standard cotton gauze pads in place on top ofa wound. The unit uses a bidirectional material which prevents slippageeither up or down. However, the material allows readjustment by virtueof its unique closure system without adhesives.

Another object of the invention is to provide a disposable wounddressing and support unit that eliminates the need of adhesive tapewhich causes pain during removal, possible allergic reactions, andflimsy application due to hair, moisture and wound complications.Adhesives also do not allow for readjustment of tension for unlimitedtimes.

Still another object of the subject wound dressing and support unit isthe unit includes a window opening therethrough. The window is accessedover the top of the gauze pad and allows for visual inspection relativeto the amount of drainage from the wound and affords an indication onwhen the disposable combination unit needs to be changed. The windowopening provides a window for the gauze pad or dressing to breathe andallow gases and liquids secreted from the wound to evaporate therebyallowing for improved healing. Also of importance is the window allowsexamination of the nature of drainage without having to disturb thegauze pad, thus having positive benefits for the wound while at the sametime reducing the chances of contamination to the patient and the healthcare provider. The simplicity of use of the invention reduces nursingcare time, subsequent exposure time to the wound from contaminants andallows the patient to assume more of his or her own care, therebyinfluencing reduced hospital stay time and the need for reliance onother individuals.

Yet another object of the wound dressing and support unit is that thebidirectional wrap is provided with hook fasteners at one end forengaging a portion of loop like material of the wrap allowing for easyadjustment in either loosing or tightening the wrap when the gauze padis received over the wound. The unit is designed so that there is noexcess material or use of supplies, thus keeping down the cost of healthcare. Also, decreased bulk of materials means less biohazardous woundmaterials and consequently less cost of removal of these materials.

A further object of the invention is that the unit is lightweight,nonconstricting, versatile and able to be applied by a singleindividual. By the nature of using a wrap with a gauze pad attachedthereto, the disposable unit can be removed and replaced from infectiousand contagious wounds at a safe distance from the wound. Also, the wrapprovides improved leverage for ease in removing the gauze pad whencompared to removing a pad by hand. Further, the wrap is bidirectionaland therefore stretchable laterally along its length for versatility inconforming to different parts of the anatomy of the trunk, the hand, thehead and the limbs.

In summation, the subject invention eliminates the deficiencies of otherprior art dressing systems while offering the following objects andadvantages that support, simplify, and promote wound healing. They are:

a. a disposable, sterile, lightweight and non-allergenic wound careunit.

b. ease in application and removal by the patient and at a distance fromthe wound, not requiring, in most instances, the use of more than onehand.

c. adaptable to different anatomic locations and wound sizes.

d. allows visualization of the wound and/or dressing.

e. improves evaporation of gases and fluids from the wound surface tothe dressing.

f. promotes reduced pressure to the wound bed by the nature of thedressing window.

g. preserves the integrity of the skin by avoiding adhesives andabrasive materials.

h. allows frequent dressing changes with minimal disruption to the woundbed or local tissues.

i. acts as a combination wound dressing and dressing support, all as oneunit.

j. improves patient compliance by nature of its simplicity and ease.

k. reduces chances of contamination and exposure to health careproviders.

l. acts as a brace to support the wound and its surrounding tissues.

m. reduces biohazardous materials and cost of their removal.

The subject disposable wound dressing and support unit provides fordelivering a variety of standard gauze pads on top of a wound andproviding for a painless access to the wound. The disposable wounddressing and support unit consists of an elongated bidirectional(stretches laterally) wrap which includes a window opening therethroughand disposed along the length of the wrap. The bidirectional wrap isadaptable for conforming to various parts of the anatomy of a patientand includes a releasable hook fastener at one end for securing the endto any portion of the wrap. The wrap is made of a loose weave material.The wound dressing and support unit may be received around the trunk,head, limb, hand and other parts of the anatomy. Also, one end of thewound dressing and support unit may be bifurcated for ease in receiptaround various parts of the human anatomy. The window opening may be ofdifferent widths, lengths and geometric shapes for application todifferent sizes and types of wounds. A gauze pad is received over thewindow opening with the sides of the pad permanently secured to thesides of the window opening. The window in the wrap allows for visualinspection of the gauze pad relative to the nature of wound drainage,the amount of drainage, and when the disposable unit needs to bereplaced. The window further allows for improved exchange of gases andliquids secreted from the wound and through the gauze pad. Further,other types of wound dressing materials may be used equally well forattachment to the sides of the window.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent tothose familiar with medical dressings and problems related to thehealing of wounds and sores from the following detailed description,showing novel construction, combination, and elements as hereindescribed, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, itbeing understood that changes in the precise embodiments to the hereindisclosed invention are meant to be included as coming within the scopeof the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate complete preferred embodiments ofthe present invention according to the best modes presently devised forthe practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional cotton gauze padpermanently secured to the sides of a window disposed along the lengthof an elongated wrap. The gauze pad is positioned for receipt on top ofa wound in the forearm of a patient.

FIG. 2 is a similar perspective view as shown in FIG. 1 with the windowopening and gauze pad in place over the wound and the wound dressing andsupport unit secured around the forearm.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a portion of the wound dressing and supportunit with one end having hook fasteners. The window opening is shownbeing angular in shape with a gauze pad positioned for bonding to sidesof the window.

FIG. 4 and 5 illustrate perspective views of the wound dressing andsupport unit with the gauze pad and window received over a breast of afemale patient. One end of the wrap is bifurcated for ease in receiptover the top of a shoulder and underneath an arm of the patient. Thedivided end is secured to the other end of the wrap at the back of thepatient.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a standard gauze pad being removed from aninfectious wound using a finger and a thumb next to the wound.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a gauze pad bonded as a unit to the subjectwound dressing and support unit and being removed from the sameinfectious wound as shown in FIG. 6 using a finger and thumb but at asafe distance from the wound.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, a perspective view of a human forearm 10 with hand 12 isshown. In this view a top 14 of the forearm 10 has an open wound 16. Thesubject disposable wound dressing and support unit is designated bygeneral reference numeral 18. The unit 18 includes an elongated wrap 20having different lengths and widths depending on the application. Thewrap 20 has a window opening 22 therethrough and disposed along it'slength. A standard gauze pad 24 is secured to sides 25 of the windowopening 22 as shown in FIG. 3. The pad 24 may be a 2×2, 2×4, 4×4, 8×8inch pad or any other desired dimension for receipt around the windowopening 22 and having sufficient size to cover the wound being treated.Also, while the window opening 22 is shown having a rectangular shape inthe drawings, it may have various geometric configurations and sizes forease in conforming to the type of wound being treated on the body. Thewrap 20 is bidirectional along it's length for stretching the wrap 20when it is applied around a portion of the body or limb. The width ofthe wrap 20 is not expandable or stretchable for preventing thedistortion of the window opening 22 when in use. The wrap's length mayvary from 6 inches to 4 feet and greater. The wrap's width may vary from11/2 inches to 12 inches and greater. The wrap 20, for example, is madeof a stretch bonded laminate developed and manufactured byKimberly-Clark Corporation. The wrap 20 includes a loose loop-like weaveon the front and back surfaces of the wrap for engaging hook fasteners26 mounted at the end of a first end portion 28 of the wrap 20. Animportant feature of the invention is the use of the hook fasteners 26to engage the loose loop-like weave of the wrap 20 along any portion ofit's length. This feature makes the wound dressing and support unit 18infinitely adjustable along the length of the wrap 20 for ease intightening or loosening the unit 18.

In FIG. 2 the gauze pad 24 and window are received on top of the wound16. A second end portion 30 of the wrap 20 is wrapped around the forearm10 and the hook fasteners 26 releasably secured to the loop-like weaveof a portion of the wrap 20. While only one pad 24 is shown in thedrawings, it can be appreciated that depending on the type of wound andit's characteristics, one or more pads 24 can be placed one on top ofeach other. As mentioned above, the window opening 22 provides a quickvisual means for a doctor or patient to determine when the gauze pad 24along with the disposable wound dressing and support unit 18 as a unitneeds to be replaced. Also, because the pad 24 has a loose "loop like"woven structure, the pad 24 with window opening 22 allows the wound 16to breathe easily thereby allowing a free flow of liquids and gases toescape to the atmosphere for enhanced wound debridement.

In FIG. 3, a rear view of a portion of the wound dressing and supportunit 18 is shown with the first end portion 28 having the hook fasteners26 and the wrap 20 having an angular window opening 22. In this view,the cotton gauze pad 24 is disposed above the window opening 22 andpositioned for permanent attachment to sides 25 of the opening 22. Thepad 24 may be secured using an adhesive 32, heating bonding, or anyother securing agent to hold the pad 24 to the sides 25 of the windowopening 22 and on top of the wound being treated.

In FIG. 4, a front perspective view of an upper portion 34 of a femalehuman body 36 wherein the disposable unit 18 is used for treating awound on a women's left breast. In this example, the pad 24 and windowopening 22 are placed over the wound in the left breast with the firstend portion 28 of the wrap 20 placed beneath or over a right breast 38and around a portion of the women's waist. The second end portion 30 ofthe wrap 20 is bifurcated for ease in securing the unit 18 over ashoulder 40 and beneath a left arm 42. The second end portion 30 whendivided includes an upper portion 44 received over the shoulder 40 and alower portion 46 received under the left arm 42.

In FIG. 5 a rear perspective view of the female human body 36 is shownwith ends 48 of the upper portion and lower portion 44 and 46 of thebifurcated second end portion 30 engaged by the hook fasteners 26 of thefirst end portion 28 of the wrap 20. Obviously, by the use of the hookfasteners 26, the wrap 20 can be quickly adjusted by tightened orloosened on the human body 36. The use of the bifurcated second endportion of the wrap 20 is but one example of the flexibility of the unit18 for being contoured for wounds on various parts of the human anatomy.

In FIG. 6 a side view of a gauze pad 24 being removed from an infectiouswound 16. Note the sharp angle, represented by arrow 50, required tolift the gauze pad 24. Also, note a finger 52 and a thumb 54 used tolift the gauze pad 24 are disposed next to the wound presenting a safetyconcern for a patent or care giver changing the dressing.

In FIG. 7 a side view of the subject wound dressing and support unit 18is shown removing the gauze pad 24 secured to the wrap 20 from theinfectious wound 16 as shown in FIG. 6. Note in this view, a lowerangle, represented by arrow 56, is required to remove the pad 24 due tothe leverage provided by the length of the wrap 20. By the nature of anelongated wrap 20, the pad 24 can be removed more gently because of theimproved leverage. Also, the gauze pad 24 can be removed at a distanceof 6 inches and greater from the wound 16 for improved safety to theperson changing the dressing. While not shown in the drawings, the wrap20 can be gripped using both hands at first and second end portions 28and 30 when removing and replacing the gauze pad 24 on top of an openwound.

While the invention has been particularly shown, described andillustrated in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments andmodifications thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in theart that changes in form and detail may be made therein withoutdeparting from spirit and scope of the invention as claimed except asprecluded by the prior art.

The embodiments of the invention for which an exclusive privilege andproperty right is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A disposable wounddressing and support unit for holding a gauze pad in place on top of awound and providing for painless access to the wound, the unit adaptablefor conforming to various parts of the anatomy of a patient, the unitcomprising:an elongated wrap having a top and a bottom, said wrap havinga window opening therethrough, said window opening adapted for receiptabove and on top of the gauze pad disposed on top of the wound; fastenermeans disposed on the bottom of said wrap and along a side of saidwindow opening for permanently engaging a portion of the gauze pad; andsecuring means attached to a first end portion of said wrap for engaginga portion of said wrap at any desired location along its length andsecuring said wrap on the patient.
 2. The unit as described in claim 1wherein said wrap is an elastic bidirectional wrap stretchable in twodirections along a length of said wrap.
 3. The unit as described inclaim 2 wherein said elastic bidirectional wrap includes a loose weavematerial on the front and back surface said wrap.
 4. The unit asdescribed in claim 3 wherein said securing means is a hook fastenerattached to the first end portion of said wrap, said hook fastenerreleasably engaging the loose weave material of said wrap.
 5. Adisposable wound dressing and support unit for holding a gauze pad inplace on top of a wound and providing for painless access to the wound,the unit adaptable for conforming to various parts of the anatomy of apatient, the unit comprising:an elongated wrap having a top and abottom, said wrap having a window opening therethrough, said windowopening having different sizes and geometric configurations, said windowopening adapted for receipt on top of the gauze pad disposed on top ofthe wound, said wrap made of an elastic bidirectional material forexpansion along a length of said wrap; fastener means disposed on thebottom of said wrap and along the sides of said window opening forpermanently engaging a portion of pad the gauze pads; and securing meansattached to a first portion end of said wrap for engaging a portion ofsaid wrap at any desired location along its length and securing saidwrap on the patient.
 6. The unit as described in claim 5 wherein saidsecuring means is a hook fastener attached to the first end of saidwrap, said hook fastener releasable engaging a portion of said wrapalong its length.
 7. The unit as described in claim 5 wherein said wraphas a length in a range of 6 inches to 4 feet, said length of wrapallowing the gauze pad to be removed from an infectious wound at a safedistance of 1 to 4 feet.
 8. The unit as described in claim 5 whereinsaid wrap has a width in a range of 11/2 inches to 12 inches.
 9. Theunit as described in claim 5 wherein said wrap includes a second endportion which is bifurcated into a divided upper portion and a dividedlower portion, said second end portion used for receipt around differentextremities of the human body.
 10. A method of using a disposable wounddressing and support unit for holding a gauze pad in place on top of awound on an anatomy of a patient and providing for painless access tothe wound, the unit adaptable for conforming to various parts of theanatomy of a patient, the steps comprising:placing the gauze pad on topof the wound, the gauze pad permanently attached to a side of a windowin an elongated wrap, said window disposed along a length of said wrap;wrapping a first end portion and a second end portion of said wraparound part of the anatomy of the patient; and securing an end of saidfirst end portion along a length of a portion of said second endportion.
 11. The method as described in claim 10 further including thestep of tightening and loosing said wrap by removing the end of saidfirst end portion from the length of said second end portion and movingthe end of the first end portion up and down the length of the secondend portion and securing the first end portion thereto.
 12. The methodas described in claim 10 further including the step of removing saidwound dressing and support unit by releasing said first end portion fromsaid second end portion of said wrap and lifting the gauze pad from thewound using the first end portion of said wrap.
 13. The method asdescribed in claim 10 further including the step of removing said wounddressing and support unit by releasing said first end portion from saidsecond end portion of said wrap and lifting the gauze pad from the woundusing the second end portion of said wrap.
 14. The method as describedin claim 10 further including the step of removing said wound dressingand support unit by releasing said first end portion from said secondend portion of said wrap and lifting the gauze pad from the wound usingboth the first and the second end portions of said wrap.
 15. The methodas described in claim 10 wherein said end of said first end portionincludes hook fasteners for releasably securing the end of said firstend portion along a length of a portion of said second end portion, thelength of said wrap having a loose weave for releasably engagement withsaid hook fasteners.